trans | Thoughts on Dysphoria

I thought a lot about

garlicfiend's post from yesterday. I am writing this here and not as a reply because I figure the original has scrolled off most people's screens...

I think the major difference between the dysphoria some trans people have and the dysphoria of

garlicfiend's overweight friend or furries is what we do about it.

Society isn't going to take seriously someone who says they are a woman inside, but wears a full beard and always speaks with a baritone. In the same way, society wouldn't take seriously someone who is obese but believes they are skinny inside, or someone who believes they are a dragon. However, if the person is taking steps to make their outside match the inside, they will be taken seriously. Whether that is going on hormones (and shaving :) ), going on a diet and to the gym, or having scales tattooed all over their body, the person is making the effort.

Put another way, why should anyone expect to be taken seriously if they make no effort TO be taken seriously?